Area Champs 2010

[DJM]

The new 2010 Area Championships season is now upon us, brand new Event Rules have been published for them and the BOF website has publicised both the Northerns this month and next month's Southerns. Entries have been open for both for some time too.

However, today's start lists show 215 for the Northerns (main entries close in 6 days, premium price thereafter) and 109 for the Southerns (closing date in 27 days). Both promise to be high quality events but both seem to be heading for low numbers ...

So, what might be causing this? Have Area Championships lost their pull (in only the second year of their new format) or are competitors entering later and later these days and we'll see a big rush at the eleventh hour? Will they get the 1000+ they warrant?

[awk]

When did an event other than the British/JK last get 1000 plus? Just out of interest - don't see many of them nowadays.

As for the Northerns, we're off to the Edinburgh race, but numbers on that aren't massive either. Maybe people are holding back because of the weather.

[ricardito]

I was told there were over 1000 at the Beaudesert event last month (Midland Champs) - and Fabian4 shows 1013 pre-entered, which bears that out. So it can happen... Could it be that people are waiting to see what the weather is like (particularly those with long journeys to make)?

[Stodgetta]

The vast majority of the entrants for the Beaudesert National entered after the cheaper closing date, with several hundred entering in the last 2 or 3 days. The final number of entrants was a big surprise.

[Spookster]

Having organised online entries for a few events now, I reckon a rule of thumb is that by 2 weeks before the closing date a quarter of the people have entered, and by a week before the closing date half the people have entered.

It's now almost two weeks to the final closing date for the Northerns, so 215 people is about what I'd expect if we're going to get a total of about 800-850. Of course it would be nice if we could get 1000, as WCH did last month.

The weather obviously isn't helping at present. The snow and ice is melting in Sheffield, so we're hoping that before long it'll also start melting out on the moors. The latest long range BBC forecast suggests this is possible. Let's hope so.

[distracted]

Several possible reasons come to mind:

- The purpose of the events hasn't been publicised well enough since the change, and so people don't know what to expect.

- The publicity being produced for the events does not do the event justice relative to its status. How are all-text A4 flyers meant to sell a set of events that are supposed to be second only to the JK and British Championships?

- Some have been put off by high entry costs relative to the standard regional events, as they perceive no difference between the two types of event - links with the two points made above.

- Other high-level events going on the same weekend (esp. for Northern Champs with Edinburgh, Star Posts etc) and people aren't prepared to travel.

- Time of year/Importance of competition - December/January/February is not in the main 'competition' season. And how are the titles of 'regional champion' viewed - something to aspire to/encourage a quality field to an event, or just another trophy that's a minor addition to an event that you would have attended anyway?

[graeme]

are competitors entering later and later these days

O tempora, o mores.
The rule of thumb in the old days of postal entries was that about half the entries would arrive after the stated closing date.

[Mrs H]

I certainly agree and have said elsewhere that I think dynamic publicity will be key to success in the new structure. Awk asks

When did an event other than the British/JK last get 1000 plus?

well I certainly had around 1200 to each day of SinS in 2007 having worked very hard on publicity - particularly of the Extra Value attached to the event.

I outlined the strategy in my last CompassSport piece - it's a free market and I think there is some great scope for creativity in this department. Within reason I'm not sure the cost is a dciding factor as long as people perceive they are getting value for money

[graeme]

around 1200 to each day of SinS in 2007 having worked very hard on publicity - particularly of the Extra Value attached to the event.

...and of course, it being the year that SinS didn't clash with the Scottish. There's no doubt that having the Northern champs clashing with Edinburgh Burns weekend/Chasing Sprint is going to hurt (and clashing with CompassSport cup would have been worse ).

Would we rather have 1000 people at one event, or 800 / 300 at two?

Note to future Area Champs organisers ...
... the JOK Chasing Sprint is always looking for dates and venues. If held on the Saturday, it will bring extra people to your Sunday event. Just ask.

[Neil M40]

are competitors entering later and later these days

O tempora, o mores.
The rule of thumb in the old days of postal entries was that about half the entries would arrive after the stated closing date.

But in those days the closing date would be a month or more before the event.

I must admit I tend to enter as late as possible. These days it is often possible to enter online after the final details come out. Since we have a midget 7 year old white course competitor hanging around with us, I like to know all the details before making any decisions, particularly distances to start and finish.

Having said that I will be entering the Northern Champs and Midland Champs regardless - and I am in negotiations about the Southern Champs. I am going because they are championship races and because I want the new system to work - for there to be 6 races a year with a reasonable level of competition on M40.

[Scott]

Note to future Area Champs organisers ...
... the JOK Chasing Sprint is always looking for dates and venues. If held on the Saturday, it will bring extra people to your Sunday event. Just ask.

...and in 2011 it will be on Sat 12 March. I'll obviously be taking the credit if there's a decent turnout at the Southern Champs the next day .

[Homer]

Another major factor in my opinion is the fact that the Area Championships are not 'Open' as they used to be in the old days.

I'm still not sure whether it's worth travelling to the Southern Champs to try and become the 'moral' champion, having beaten the actual champion?

I personally would be in favour of making them all open.

[EddieH]

I agree with Homer's last point absolutely. WInning the "Scottish" title, yet being beaten by someone from down south has no sesonance with me (having been used to open regional championships in the past).

[EddieH]

It amses me that the rules for these events have just been published, long after two of the events are trading, and have presumably finalised planning and organisational details.

[Becks]

I remember that as a Junior I won the Scottish Champs, but the real Scottish "winner" took something like 2-3 times as long as I did! I think she was pretty embarrased about that, it does seem a bit silly.